Premature ventricular contraction
Premature ventricular contraction is a form of irregular heartbeat in which the ventricle contracts prematurely. This results in a "skipped beat" followed by a stronger beat. PVCs are also called heart palpitations (although there are many other forms of arrhythmia). The depolarization begins in the ventricle instead of the usual place, i.e. the sinus node.
PVCs may be a sign of a heart condition; however, they can also occur in otherwise healthy athletes (e.g. in the days following a major effort such as a marathon).
In healthy individuals, PVCs can often be resolved with continuous rehydration and reinstating the balance of magnesium, calcium and potassium.
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